I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use.”
—Mother Teresa
Waste is any unwanted or unusable material which is discarded after first use, or is worthless, defective and of no use. Examples include municipal solid waste (household trash/ garbage/ refuse), hazardous waste, wastewater (such as sewage), surface runoff, radioactive waste and others.Municipal solid waste (MSW) includes household waste, commercial waste, and demolition waste. Household waste, commonly known as trash, garbage, rubbish or refuse is a waste consisting of everyday items that are discarded by the public. It includes food waste, plastic waste,dippers etc. Commercial waste consists of waste from premises used mainly for the purposes of a trade or business or for the purpose of sport, recreation, education or entertainment, but excluding household, agricultural or industrial waste. Demolition waste is waste of debris from demolition/destruction of buildings, roads, bridges, or other structures. The major components of debris include concrete, wood, asphalt, shingles, brick, stone, clay, tile, steel, etc. Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is one of the major environmental problems of Indian cities. Improper management of municipal solid waste (MSW) causes hazards to inhabitants. Various studies reveal that about 90% of MSW is disposed of unscientifically in open dumps and landfills, creating problems to public health and the environment.With rapid urbanisation, the country is facing massive waste management challenge. Over 377 million urban people live in 7,935 towns and cities and generate 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste per annum. Only 43 million tonnes (MT) of the waste is collected, 11.9 MT is treated and 31 MT is dumped in landfill sites. Solid Waste Management (SWM) is one among the basic essential services provided by municipal authorities in the country to keep urban centres clean. However, almost all municipal authorities deposit solid waste at a dumpyard within or outside the city haphazardly. Experts believe that India is following a flawed system of waste disposal and management.
Indian Scenario
India faces major environmental challenges associated with waste generation and inadequate waste collection, transport, treatment and disposal. Current systems in India cannot cope with the volumes of waste generated by an increasing urban population and these impact the environment and public health. The challenges and barriers are significant. But there are opportunities too. There is urgent need of a proper plan for sustainable solid waste management for cities in India. A priority is to move from reliance on waste dumps that offer no environmental protection, to waste management systems that retain useful resources within the economy. Waste segregation at source and use of specialized waste processing facilities to separate recyclable materials has a key role.
Current picture of Srinagar city:
Summer capital Srinagar generates 400 metric tons of waste each day, reveals action draft plan on solid-waste management.According to a survey done in the recent past, except Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) most of the local bodies that include Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees/Town Area Committees (TAC) have not prepared proper disposal plan as per Solid Waste Management Rules 2016. This has aggravated to the problems of managing solid waste in towns across J&K. In almost all the towns of J&K state, local municipalities have failed to scientifically treat the waste. The waste is either thrown into water-bodies, hill-sides or forest areas,or dumped in highly sensitive zone,like outside hospitals,near school premisesA report submitted before National Green Tribunal (NGT) only a few years back had revealed that J&K state has 100 percent open dumping of Municipal Solid Waste by SMC,The NGT report had given 31st rank to J&K State with regard to Solid Waste Management policy. Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been ranked as 1, 2 and 3 respectively keeping in view the scientific management of solid waste.
As per Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 it has been advised to put biodegradable waste in green dustbin and non biodegradable waste in blue dustbin. The waste is collected by the workers of SMC on daily basis in hand driven trolleys/load carriers for further shifting to the dumping sites. every waste generator needs to segregate and store the waste generated by them in three separate streams namely bio-degradable, non-degradable and domestic hazardous wastes in suitable bins and handover segregated wastes to authorised rag-pickers or waste collectors”.
As far as Ground situation is concerned! the story is totally different, from above !
Case study Around GBHS lalbazar vicinity
(where solid waste management rules have been thrown caution to the wind)
Coordinates: 34°7’36”N 74°49’12”E
Lal Bazar is almost 10 kilometres (6.2mi) away from the city centre of Srinagar. There are more than 20 valley’s well known schools (both Pvt. & Govt) in this area and having 17 colonies!
*Umar Colony A – B – C .
*Rose Lane,Sikh bagh
*Friends Lane ,Mugal Mohalla, Bagwanpora
*Green Lane, Molvi Stop, Sheik Hamza Colony
*Botshah Mohalla,Kanitar, Shur
*Botshah Colony, Newcolony Lal Bazar, Gousia Colony.
*Alamdar Colony A & B
In addition to this the area is having 1 pry health center and 1 leprosy hospital.and is surrounded by Srinagar famous lake ‘nigeen lake’ making this area a highly eco sensitive zone.
The wastes released from health center and vicinity are not properly disposed and directly find its way on open streets that too with out any proper segregation,treatment,&Disposal or find its way in to lake.
Now the Question Arise?
Why Government is making high claims regarding ‘green city clean city’?
Where are solid management rules for Lalbazar vicinity?
Why administration is in slumber?
Issues that need attention
Biomedcal wastes released from nearby primary health center,which is thrown out on streets with out any treatement and that too mixed with daily solid wastes,which otherwise needs separate management & handling as per biomedical management &handling rule 1998.
Since the area is surrounded by many schools,mismanagement of solid wastes pose great threat to school going kids.
Lack of public awareness
No legal action is taken against these health center or workers who thinks ‘RULES ARE FOR FOOLS’
The waste which needs to be segregated as per rules are not collected and transported as per rules…..posing great threat to whole vicinity… Proper timing and technique for collection,transport and disposal of wastes
NOW THE QUESTION ARISE WHO WILL BELL THE CAT?WHO SHOULD BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE ?
( Open dumping just opp.school) dated 14.05.2019.
Srinagar has been listed as the tenth worst polluted city in the world according to World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s).As per report published in 2018.
What to Do:There is a good and positive scope for improvement the current situation within the constraints of available resources.
*Biomedical waste needs to be segregated in separate containers,&should be dealt with utmost care.
*Every street vendor/domesticwaste should be kept in suitable containers for storage of waste generated during the course of all activities
*Proper deposal of waste to waste storage container as notified by the local authority.
*Door to Door campaign : door to door collection of garbage and its source segregation should be made mandatory across the State.
*There is need for the creation of an enabling environment through legal and institutional changes, public participation, capacity building and various other innovative practices .
“We must experience Heaven on earth;
May your homes, surroundings and work places portray a safe clean environment.” ……. Lailah Gifty Akita!
Shariqa Maryam Kubravi is Msc,Med,Net,Dptt, Dca,pgddm (Department of Education)
